There’s nothing like Summertime in Idaho!
Join us for a great time of family fun in celebration of America! The day starts early and there’s plenty to do so be sure to plan ahead so you can pack in the good times.

8-11am Pancake Breakfast GV Sr. Center

8:30 EMT Scramble Terrace Lakes Resort

9am Flag Raising, Weilmunster Park

10am-10pm Carnival, Rides, Food & Games Weilmunster Park

6pm Parade, downtown Crouch

7pm Soap Box Derby (?)

7-10pm Street Dance sponsored by 2 Rivers Grill (?)

10pm/Dusk GV Chamber sponsored Fireworks

All events are subject to change, these are our best guesses as of 2/9/18!

If you would like to shoot off your “personal fireworks”, you can do so at Youren’s Arena, please contact Scott Leslie or Cole Youren for more info.

It’s a new year and we’ve got a new website!
We’re very excited to be breaking into the new year with a great new design courtesy of Geeks Worldwide! They are an Idaho based development company who is passionate about helping local businesses and sharing the wild places of Idaho with others. Our new site features a great new look that will be easier to use on your phone and tablet devices so you can check in on all the fun going on in Garden Valley while you’re on the go!

We’re just getting started so check back soon for more updates and info about the new season of fun in Idaho’s playground GARDEN VALLEY!!

Press Release: Crouch Changes Fireworks Plans and will Develop a More Traditional 4th of July.

From: Greater Garden Valley Chamber of Commerce

The Fourth of July celebrations in Crouch, Idaho are changing and working towards a family friendly environment. Past years have seen the use of personal firework escalate in the small mountain town and city leaders are changing that this year. Plans are underway for a traditional Independence Day that brings families to town with events, food and music for every taste.

Crouch will be full of activities throughout the day that include duck races, rafting races, children’s activities, vendors throughout town, lot of food, beer gardens and music. The evening will include a parade with the highly anticipated “wet” section of the parade. Participants in the wet section of the parade enjoy blasting water on people watching from the sidelines. Anyone can expect to get wet by blasts from fire trucks and rafting company busses. Many from the audience are prepared for a water soaking exchange by bringing their own water balloons and super soakers.

Later in the evening several restaurants and bars will have plans for exciting bands, music and entertainment. The outdoor Starlight Mountain Theater will have performances from 8-11PM. There is going to be something for everyone.

Only one permit is given for fireworks and that is to Adam Nokes for the Chamber fireworks display. There will still be a Chamber sponsored fireworks show that starts around dusk in Crouch this Fourth of July, as in years past, however this year it might be even more spectacular without the side confusion of the illegal fireworks!

The street in Crouch where the fireworks have normally been set off is privately owned. The property owners have voiced that they don’t want the chaotic fireworks on their property anymore. People will not be permitted to shoot off fireworks – even legal, safe and sane fireworks – like they have in years past. The Sheriff will enforce the trespassing/no fireworks ordinance in central Crouch as well as normal crowd control and assistance. The efforts now are to re-establish firework rules following Idaho law.

A safe and sane Crouch 4th of July with emphasis on activities during the day, a town parade, and the Chamber fireworks display will be the supported plans of the Greater Garden Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Any form of travel can improve your well-being by lowering your stress levels, giving you a break from the regular grind of work and home, and exposing you to new ideas, cultures, and foods. While some people think that setting their sights on a beach is the best way to relax, others are learning that heading to the mountains is one of the best choices for finding serenity.

It’s all about the mountain air

The phrase “mountain fresh” isn’t just something manufacturers put on scented products. The cool, crisp air you will find in the mountains of the United States is like no other. The fresh mountain air will invigorate your senses, give you energy, and make you want to hike or walk trails longer than ever before. No matter which North American mountains you choose to visit, you’ll come across huge, beautiful trees that release all of the oxygen you need to feel alive and improve your overall health and well-being by getting fresh oxygen to your lungs, muscles, and brain.

Soak in Vitamin D from the sun

When you’re out and about in the mountains and soaking up nature, your skin soaks up natural vitamin D from the sun. Of course, wearing sunblock is important if you will be out during the most intense rays between 10 am and 4 pm, but getting the right amount of sunlight also boosts your mood because sunlight increases the brain’s levels of serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that helps us feel calm and focused, and low levels of serotonin lead to seasonal affective disorder.

Get some exercise

When you visit the mountains, you are more likely to exercise while on vacation. North America is full of hiking trails and scenic nature trails that give you a chance to view beautiful views, see powerful waterfalls, listen to babbling brooks, and watch wildlife and birds. Of course, you can choose the degree of difficulty of the hikes and decide if you’d rather take a brisk stroll through the woods or push yourself to take a strenuous hike that leads to vistas and peaks for the best views America has to offer.

Play in the valleys

One of the best parts of traveling to the mountains is visiting the valleys between them. One such valley that you definitely want to include in your travel itinerary is Garden Valley, Idaho. Garden Valley offers mountain peaks 7,000 feet above the horizon, tranquil meadows stretching across the valley, and the exciting South Fork of the Payette River. The valley has a rich history of gold mining, countless hot springs, exceptional wildlife viewing.

Rafters and kayakers especially enjoy visiting Garden Valley, ID, because the South Fork of the Payette River is wild and turbulent as it runs through deep canyons. The Payette River system has whitewater classifications of I-Iv, and visitors can choose to go on partial-day, full-day, and overnight trips spring through autumn. Spending time in Garden Valley, Idaho, gives travelers a sense of wonder and excitement as they explore all that the valley has to offer.

Indulge your desire for adventure

Some people like to get their adrenaline pumping and re-energize themselves by finding adventure and thrills in the mountains of North America. Adventure-seekers flock to the mountains for everything from hiking and ziplining to skiing and whitewater rafting. Some of the most adventurous travelers choose to hike and whitewater raft in the Grand Canyon, while others hike, bike, and horseback ride in Yosemite National Park. Rock climbers especially love to trek to Anchorage, Alaska, to tackle the cliffs of Chugach State Park. Hikers, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers also choose to visit this part of Alaska, and families can enjoy easier hiking in Alaska by choosing to follow the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.

No matter how you choose to spend your time in North America’s mountains, you’re sure to benefit from the fresh, crisp air, sunlight, and adventures that await you in nature.

MISSOULA, MONTANA, February 25, 2014— Maps are now available for Adventure Cycling Association’s Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route (IHSMBR). The brand-new two-map set guides cyclists through the breathtaking landscape of central Idaho along a spectacular 518-mile off-pavement route, offering four substantial singletrack options, and featuring access to more than 50 hot springs in the Gem State.

“Adventure Cycling has always been on the cutting edge of long-distance bicycle routing in North America,” said Cartographer Casey Greene. “The Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route continues this trend by incorporating backcountry singletrack options into a route, which is a first for us. It’s also something that our members have been asking for, and with the innovative new bikepacking gear and techniques that have surfaced over the past 10 years, it seemed like the perfect time to develop this kind of route.”

Based on the growth of bikepacking and the popularity of its Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which traces the spine of the Rocky Mountains from Canada to Mexico, Adventure Cycling anticipates that cyclists touring the new Idaho route could represent a robust tourism niche for the communities along its corridor: the major city of Boise, as well as the smaller towns of Idaho City, Stanley, McCall, Cascade, Atlanta, Crouch, Garden Valley, Lowman, and Placerville. This region also offers all the key ingredients of a popular bike-touring destination, including quiet roads and some of the most spectacular country the West has to offer, from blue-ribbon trout streams to big sub-alpine terrain, and cozy mountain towns; not to mention, the hot springs.

“There are few things I’ve found that go together as well as a day of backcountry bicycling followed by a relaxing soak in one of nature’s own hot tubs,” Greene said. “Those who’ve never experienced it are in for a real treat.” A handful of the hot springs accessible from the IHSMBR are commercial, including Burgdorf, Goldfork, and Twin Springs; the majority, however, are primitive and undeveloped. The route’s location is also ideal for integrating myriad other recreational activities such as fly-fishing and white-water rafting into any itinerary.

“Central Idaho contains some of the largest wilderness areas in the Lower 48,” said Michael McCoy, route researcher for the Great Divide route and a 19-year resident of the Gem State. “If you’re set up for it gear-wise, it would be easy to stash your bike in the woods and take a backpacking trip into the alpine lake-abundant Sawtooth Wilderness, or in the spectacular Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.”

Another option, McCoy noted, is a commercial float on the Salmon River, the storied River of No Return. “When you’re at the northernmost tip of the Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route’s Secesh singletrack option, as the crow flies you’re only about ten miles from the Salmon. It’s a bit farther to ride or drive there, but still doable. From McCall, located on the main route, it’s less than 50 miles to Riggins, a popular put-in spot for day trips on the river.”

The Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route is offered as a two-map set. The first map section features the main, off-pavement route — a loop route that primarily follows dirt roads for 518 miles, with a few stretches of pavement in the mix. Cyclists planning a trip on the main route need only to have a basic understanding of mountain-bike riding technique. However, cyclists attempting any of the four singletrack options, featured on the second, supplementary map section, should know their own ability and prepare for challenging conditions. Some sections of the singletrack are expert-only riding (or hike-a-biking for those who aren’t experts).

Out-of-state cyclists can access the IHSMBR via a 33-mile spur from the Boise airport, which is shown on the main route map. Flying into the Sun Valley-area airport is another option. From Friedman Memorial Airport, located in Hailey, cyclists can connect with the route in Ketchum, 14 miles north, by way of the Wood River Bike Trail, though this connection is not represented on the Adventure Cycling maps. Once they reach the route, riders will enjoy its rural nature with relatively little traffic and resupply points strategically located along the way.

When planning their tour, cyclists should time their itinerary with the seasonal sweet spot for Northern Rockies backcountry travel: after the snow has melted up high, but before wildfire season starts — sometime between late June and late July. Autumn can be another good time for a trip, with its cooler nighttime air temperatures, which make the route’s numerous hot springs all the more inviting. For an autumn excursion, cyclists should shoot for early September to mid-October.

Adventure Cycling Association inspires and empowers people to travel by bicycle. It is the premier bicycle-travel organization in North America with more than 46,700 members. Adventure Cycling produces cycling routes and maps for North America, organizes more than 80 tours annually, and publishes the best bicycle-travel information anywhere, including Adventure Cyclist magazine. With 42,180 meticulously mapped miles in the Adventure Cycling Route Network, Adventure Cycling gives cyclists the tools and confidence to create their own bike-travel adventures. Contact the office at (800) 755-BIKE (2453), info@adventurecycling.org, or visit www.adventurecycling.org.

Facebook/Newsletter: Maps are now available for Adventure Cycling Association’s Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route. The brand-new two-map set guides cyclists through the breathtaking landscape of central Idaho along a spectacular 518-mile off-pavement route, offering four substantial singletrack options, and featuring access to more than 50 hot springs in the Gem State. http://bit.ly/idahohotsprings

This event is the Inaugural Whitewater Festival in Crouch, Idaho; not to be missed! Highlights will include a world-class kayak competition on some of North America’s most impressive whitewater –
The North Fork Payette!

Starlight Mt. Theatre Monday-Saturday nights, May 31st –August 24th contact Starlight at 462-5523 or http://www.starlightmt.org for information on shows, times and to purchase tickets.

EVERY WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT SR. CENTER DINNER EVERYONE IS WELCOME STARTS AT 5 P.M. WITH THE SALAD BAR, MAIN MEAL SERVED AT 5:30 P.M. COST IS $5.00 DONATION FROM THOSE OVER 60 AND $6.00 FOR THOSE UNDER 60.

EVERY THURSDAY MORNING 9AM BREAKFAST AT THE SR. CENTER STARTS AT 0900, COST IS $4.00

EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT; POOL AND POKER AT THE LONGHORN, CALL 462-3108 FOR MORE INFO.